When a news reporter covered a story about a tragic car accident at a notoriously dangerous South L.A. intersection, he was not expecting a demonstration would be unfolding behind him in real-time.
Gene Kang of local news station KTLA was reporting live at the corner of 84th and Hoover–the site of a fatal hit and run that happened on February 26.
"You see Hoover Street here, officials say, it's one of the most dangerous streets in all of Los Angeles," reported Kang.
And as if on cue, two Sedans collided behind him immediately after the reporter introduced the segment.
You can watch the incident caught during the live broadcast, here.
"Crazy crash!" tweeted Kang.
"I was covering a fatal hit & run story yesterday. I was pointing out one of the most dangerous streets in #LosAngeles (Hoover & 84th Street) - then this happened!"
"We called 911, helped the victims and @LAPDHQ has this video and the license plate. Stay safe! @KTLA"
The news crew continued filming as the left-turning vehicle that hit the other oncoming car continued to speed away.
According to KTLA, it is unknown if the driver eventually stopped.
"Our security guard Walter Mann yelled 'get back' and we moved as the car came racing towards us," recalled Kang. "It veered away at the last second and T-boned the car."
The crew called 911, and responding officers at the scene told Kang the hit-and-run driver was likely a suspect involved in a previous crime and was trying to flee.
Officers took a photo of the vehicle's license that fell off as a result of the impact.
The news station said the location has seen an increase of double the number of collisions since the onset of the pandemic.
The incident Kang was reporting in the video involved a pedestrian who was fatally struck while he and his family were trying to cross the street around 7:15 p.m. on February 26.
The family was being guided by a crossing guard who wore a bright yellow vest. There were also yellow lights flashing to signal drivers to yield to pedestrians.
The victim, a 42-year-old father, got his wife and their 2-year-old son out of the way as an "impatient" driver drove into the opposite lane to bypass cars that had been stopped for them.
The father was struck by the vehicle and died later at a hospital.
The suspect has not been caught. A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered to community members who provide information leading to the driver's identification, arrest, and conviction.
